Pilgrim Soldier

Over the last few months I’ve seen an increasing number of advocates for a higher standard of education to be a requirement for those considering officership. The reasons given seem to be pretty much for worldly considerations, rather than from a truly ministry point of view. Therefore, it was interesting to see Stephen Court’s take on this over at his Armybarmy blog (see October 28th entry)!

I’m amazed, and in some ways frightened, by this growing insistence on seeing highly qualified officers as being the only way we can go. I look at the majority of the early day officers in the Army and ask how many of these would have made the standard of these advocates of education. I look at the men that Jesus chose as his disciples and again ask what criteria they would now need to meet.

I know of some Salvationists who put great store in the letters after people’s name! For them it seems that the only true indicator of leadership ability is what follows their name! The problem is that some of the best officers I know are uneducated in the world’s eyes and yet have personally led many people both to the Lord and to a deeper faith in Him.

This is not to say that education is wrong, but when the lack of it becomes a barrier to stopping passionate, God appointed men and women from following His will for their lives through officership, then I’m sure the enemy will be rubbing his hands in glee!